N2 split from WERA?

Don't care about the history. The important question is how were each pronounced.

As for this split. I always wondered how WERA benefited other than to be able to offer sprint racers an opportunity to race at certain tracks, since track rental costs at the larger tracks are significant.

I'm not sure how the rental cost was split, maybe the benefit to WERA was they paid 1/3 or less which they could cover with the sprint entry fees. The problem was the order of events. WERA would've likely benefited more if they ran sprints on Saturday and Endurance on Sunday as the paddock seemed to empty on Saturday night. It wouldn't surprise me if there were discussions behind the scenes on this but I'm guessing N2 did it because it benefited them more, while at least some of why WERA did it was to benefit the sport/racers along with some profit. With the Friday practice and Saturday Endurance being well attended, I'm sure N2 felt like they had the power but IMO what made the endurance races a success was more about how WERA ran them, not the N2 name. That is if my assumption of WERA taking the lead on the racing side is accurate. I believe N2 did the registration side. My hope was that WERA would get free use use of the track on Sunday for running the endurance race on Saturday. That would seem to be a mutually beneficial situation. Just my $0.02.

Thinking back to when WERA ran Solo 20's on Saturday, killing the prize money doomed that. Wondering if they had replaced it with endurance racing if that would've worked out better for them. As I recall, I think the economic environment maybe wasn't ripe for that at the time.

 

For us, it was fantastic. Even if running Roebling (which was actually about 14 hours total) we packed up and left Saturday post-race, or early Sunday AM. If One or two of the guys wanted to stay and run a sprint, that was fine but most wanted to head back home or flew home after the endurance was over.

 

Have you seem the clusterfuck the N2 registration and tech lines are? And they have a phone app and usually don't allow same day registration since they fill up before the event.

If you pre-register for WERA, you can walk up past the same day registration line and just pick up your confirmation sheet. You then take that and your bike to tech. It's actually pretty efficient. The only thing I think WERA could improve is the pre-registration deadline. I have no idea what the race weekend prep is but if they could streamline that to be able to preregister by Wednesday night, that might increase the number of people that use it.

 

As far as Endurance on Sunday, the biggest piece of that puzzle is getting the facility emptied out by 5:00PM.

 

I know!

 

What other reason would there be for WERA to team up with any other trackday/race org?

 

In the past, they have done so sporadically to hold an event at a track that was outside of their usual geographic area. It's been quite some time but I remember a organization in Texas wanted to hold an event and WERA helped to organize it. I'm sure there was more to it (possibly helping to rebuild an organization) but they have done things in the past.

It's been quite customary over the last 7-10 years to have a trackday org hold a trackday on the friday before a race weekend.

 

I don't see how else the partnership (with any TD/race org) benefits them both other than saving money. It makes sense why WERA has their practice days, but I'm perplexed why I never saw more of them. They can run a race org, they don't need a TD org to setup a practice day.

 

I'm a WEERa guy. Many folks are in the WEARa camp though.

 

The original thought was that it would be a feeder system. Trackday guy gets a few under his belt then tries his hand at competition. The fundamental problem is that trackday people are not racers, and racers are not trackday people. Their desires and motivations while achieved in the same manner, are fundamentally different. While there have been many people make the transition, it's very clear that there is a divide between the two.

Racers can work around trackday guys. Most trackday orgs have 3 groups and two of those groups cannot be on the track with racers. So essentially, it works into the TD guys favor because the race org doesn't have a place for the trackday rider.

 

You must have walked up way late then....LOL Mid Ohio was a cluster but not WERA's fault.. I even asked if they needed a hand with registration ect... all in all handled perfect with no complaints here at all.. With that many racers, bikes and tech runs.. everything started on time. Its not easy running any track event.. TD or Race.. I think people take it for granted and simply complain when there is a delay or slight mishaps..

 

Ok, so the TD before hand doesn't benefit the race org. And the original thought is a moot point, as you stated.

So why does the race org partner with a track day org again?

 

Keep your friends close, and your enemas closer?

 

I don't know that either necessarily does. However I think the TD does provide some benefit to the Race Group allowing racers to familiarize themselves with the track if it's their first time there or get extra seat time. While it's not reflected on a PNL it's a much better experience and a smoother day not having a bunch of greenhorns mixing it up.

 

There was a time when the race groups were friendly and liked the idea of joining forces with WERA because they were both promoting roadracing in the US. For instance the WERA Endurance and National Challenge Series crossed this great country and with the help of other clubs had great races. Let's not forget the WERA F-USA race Series too, and shit yes there were on TV. All of this helped racers race against other racers where they normally wouldn't compete together, so again promoting roadracing.

Do you think WERA saved money when F-USA race was in Portland, OR? Or the 24hour at Willow? For sure no. The biggest thing many of us know is that the m/c market has changed dramatically, and not in a good way. And track-days are not helping grow the grids at club races.

 

Fucked up. It’s funny how some will smile in your face, be your friend and then just turn around and fuck you.

As mongo said, this just fucks the racers.

Mongo, let’s do more joint things with CMRA. I’ll ping you soon.

 

I'm pretty sure about half the N2 coaches also race, and a decent fraction of the Advanced group. I'm one of the ones who started out doing track days, and now do both track days and racing. On the race practice track days with N2, they only allow Intermediate and (two) Advanced groups, so no Novice group taking away track time from the racers. Some of the Intermediate riders are slow but the fast ones can roll with the novice/amateur racers. I personally have never had an issue with the race practice trackdays. I have also done some of the ASRA practice days with Evolve and they had two E3 sessions separated by bike class and speed to make sure racers got plenty of track time with people their own pace.

Regarding this thread in general, I have ridden with CCS before and after the ASRA changeover, and with WERA, with N2, and Evolve, and I am happy that all these organizations exist and get me on the race track. Some are more a pain in the butt with the registration and tech and rules than the others, but I'm willing to suck it up to do what I love and wish for all of them to prosper.

 

I don't know, nor do I care what went on behind the scenes from a business standpoint...not my circus.

The split, for racers, has good and bad (as everything does). And it all depends on if you do race endurance or if you don't.

If you don't race endurance and race sprints only, then Sunday only of sprints kinda sucks. Now you go to a WERA sprint weekend and you have probably a guarantee of two days of sprints. More fun for your travel expenses.

If endurance is your thing, like an AOD or Alpha/Omega, then the weekend caters to your preferences in that format.

 

I am not sure that I understand all of the complaining and comparing what other race organizations do has to do with this situation. My, still unanswered, question is what are the benefits of this change for the racers? Will it expand the endurance series? Will it make the series better in some tangible way? Will it raise the purses or attract more/better sponsors? Will it enhance the bottom line for N2? I have raced with plenty of organizations over the years, ERA, WERRA, WERA, CCS, CRA, MRA, AHRMA, and they all have provided racing for me with various advantages and disadvantages, which generally have lead me to spend my time and money with WERA. I have only done one track day in my life and didn't care for it, so I don't have any experience with N2 and what they have to offer, but would like to see something for the racer if they are breaking away from WERA. At this point, it doesn't make sense to me.

 

Dude, I have two good Mylaps red transponders that I occasionally charge but won't sell just in case. Plus if I start go kart racing with my superkart, I can use one of them. Anyway, you want a free loaner for awhile? You just have to promise to send it back when done sometime in the next few years, and fix any damage you cause.